On the Agenda: Call for action on hip implants

Elizabeth Pears, prweek.com, 09 February 2012, 08:00AM

A report leaked to The Sunday Telegraph claimed that senior surgeons have called for the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency to issue a stronger warning over DePuy ASR hip replacements.

Hip implants: a call for action

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The report prompted Manchester-based law firm Ralli to launch a public appeal to those who might be affected.

About the hip replacements

DePuy replacements were initially recalled in 2010 due to high failure rates of the metal-on-metal technique. Concerns were raised over fragments becoming loose, causing pain and reducing mobility. This type of implant is normally fitted in younger people who are active or play sports because it allows for greater mobility.

The campaign

Paula Bridge, Ralli's head of clinical negligence, said although DePuy had offered to cover reasonable costs of testing and revision surgery, it was not compensating patients who claimed the faulty implants left them unable to continue working.

PR strategy

Gunpowder Media - an integrated digital marketing agency - has a retained contract with Ralli and has been working with Ralli's in-house team. A press release aimed at patients was issued on 1 February. Bridge is also giving media interviews and blogging on the firm's website.

Media coverage

The Sunday Telegraph's special investigation was picked up by the Daily Mail and The Guardian, and broadcasters Channel 4, Sky and the BBC.

In numbers

120 Number of people currently seeking compensation due to failed ASR hip implants
10k Number of patients in the UK whose metal-on-metal implants were made by DePuy.

This article was first published on prweek.com